Brown smashes seven sixes

BRIXWORTH1st XI were unable to defend a competitive total against a strong Peterborough Town 1st XI side in the Premier League.

Batting first, Brixworth lost three early wickets for 39.

James Jarvis (79) kept the scoreboard ticking over, but a mid order collapse saw them at 93-6. Peter Caunt (60 not out) joined Jarvis and together they steadied the ship, adding another 51. Jarvis fell to the bowling of Paul McMahon(4-66), leaving Caunt to guide Brixworth to a respectable 192-9.

In Division Two, East Haddon were unlucky to lose to Earls Barton after batting first and posting a good score of 251-7 from 50 overs.

Opener Darren Harrison smashed 13 fours on his way to a fine century before falling on 104. He was ably supported by Stephan Joubert (59) and Richard Hardwick (63).

But an aggressive reply from Earls Barton saw James McDermott (49), David Agostini and Matthew Rees (96 not out) guide their team to 255-5 with an over to spare.

Craig Burger (2-48) was pick of the bowlers.

Long Buckby had little problems chasing down a poor target set by Rothwell Town, who finished on 134 all out after 40.1 overs, thanks to some superb bowling from Mainak Ray (5-23), Adrian Flynn (3-16) and Gary Reeve (2-29).

Daniel Simms (45) helped get Buckby off to a decent start, with Sam Bevin (32 not out) and Richard Butt (20) providing support.

Despite losing five men in single figures, Buckby reached 135-6 in 32 overs.

Ryan Spreadbury (3-24) caused a few problems in the bowling attack.

Despite a solid 248-6 in 50 overs, West Haddon had to settle for a winning draw against a stubborn Old CC 1st XI who reached 191-5.

Opener Neil Humphrey (47) and number three Phil Perryman (60) built a good partnership, hitting nine fours each.

William Robinson (29) kept the scoreboard going before Leslie Brown entered the fray and ratcheted up the run rate.

He smashed seven sixes and two fours, torturing the bowlers for 28 balls before finally falling on 59. Richard Symmonds then added unbeaten 28 to finish off the scoring.

Old’s reply got off to a terrible start, losing the first wicket for a single run.

However, Ben (39) and Sam Street (59) built a 68 partnership as they set about the chase. But they couldn’t match the run rate and instead settled for the draw. Ian Smith (2-24) was pick of the bowlers, supported by Robson Kightley (2-52) and James Higgs (1-31).

In Division Five, an impressive century from Stuart Bonthuys helped Badby successfully chase down Wicken’s 182 all out.

Daniel Green top scored for Wicken, but after opening partner Stephen Ratcliffe went for 29, Badby took regular wickets with David Marlow (3-28), Bonthuys (3-50), Ceri Robers (2-21) and Sabir Khawaja (2-44) sharing the spoils.

Andy Humphries (63 not out) anchored the innings and alongside Bonthuys (109) easily reached the target in 39.3 overs. The win keep the Baggy Blues as the only unbeaten side in Division Five.

Brixworth 2nd XIs fell narrowly short of Rothwell’s 246-8 and had to settle for a draw.

In reply, Abid Zia and Zak Iqbal hit 70 apiece in an impressive opening partnership. Ashley Hammond (69) kept the scoring going but the run rate was just off as Brixworth finished seven runs short on 239-4 off their 50 overs.

In Division Six, Kislingbury Temperance1st XI saw off Ashby Timken by four wickets.

Batting first, Ashby started reasonably well with Timothy Jakeman (24), James Ball (20) and Stuart Mitchell (22). Jake Hinton (39) top scored but the last five offered little resistance. Ashby finished on 170 all out after 41 overs, largely due to a five wicket haul from Paul Watford (5-47) .

Jonathan Elder (28) and Jamie Forrest (38) started Kislingbury’s reply with Luke Evans (38) and Paul Watford (30 not out) ensuring the target was reached as they finished with 172-6 off 44 overs.

Stuart Mitchell (5-56) starred with the ball for Ashby.

Despite a shaky start, Yelvertoft set a decent total of 197-9 off 45 overs against Higham Ferrers Town. John Eccles (83) top scored, supported by Daniel McIlhiney (32).

However, a Robert Materna century (103) guided Higham to 199-4 off 41 overs.